View Full Version : How to run multiple lights on one switch?
vada591
Jan 27, 2007, 08:01 PM
Can anyone tell me how to bring power into a light, run to 3 other lights and then down to a switch? What I have done allows me to turn the lights on, but they are very dim so something is not right.
Thanks,
HVAC888
Jan 27, 2007, 09:51 PM
You need to connect the one light and the 3 other lights in parallel.
Power has to go to the switch first. If you bring power into a light, then the 3 other lights, then the first light will always be on, is this how you intend to wire it up?
To wire in parallel, run a standard 14/2 cable with ground between the 3 lights. On the first light, connect the black wire from the switch to the first terminal. Connect the black wire from the 14/2 cable this terminal also.
Connect the white wire from the incoming power to the other terminal of the first light. Connect the white wire from the 14/2 cable to this terminal also.
Repeat this for the other 2 lights. Now you should have the blacks from each terminal connected to the black from the switch, and the whites from each terminal are all connected to the white from the incoming power, and of course the ground to each light fixture.
b----sw----+----+----+
... L... L... L
w----------+----+----+
Where b is the black wire, w is the white wire, L is the light and sw is the switch.
tkrussell
Jan 28, 2007, 06:08 AM
Try this diagram, this allows bringing a two feed cable into a light first, then use two wire cable to the switch and each light.
vada591
Jan 28, 2007, 05:07 PM
Thanks guys
jamie0278
Sep 5, 2009, 09:39 AM
How can I wire 2 lights to one swich
hkstroud
Sep 5, 2009, 10:40 AM
..
donf
Sep 5, 2009, 10:43 AM
Harold,
What application do you use for your wiring diagrams?
hkstroud
Sep 5, 2009, 10:49 AM
Paint
donf
Sep 5, 2009, 10:52 AM
Thanks. Do you use any electrical templates? If so where can I get them or is it all freehand?
hkstroud
Sep 5, 2009, 10:53 AM
All free hand
donf
Sep 5, 2009, 01:19 PM
You do really great work!
hkstroud
Sep 5, 2009, 01:31 PM
Thanks.
busterr
Apr 26, 2012, 08:36 PM
Adding 3 pot lights with one dimmer switch power to the switch dimmer has 2 black one green >>>all black together all white together black/white to each light ? If I remember corectly
peni
Jun 29, 2012, 01:44 AM
How to split 16 lamps to 2 switch?
Please kindly to give me solution with this one...
Thank you
hkstroud
Jun 29, 2012, 06:21 AM
I guess you will have to download images and expand so you can read them.
hkstroud
Jun 29, 2012, 07:03 AM
Pp
tkrussell
Jun 30, 2012, 02:50 AM
Nice job HK, you should do illustrated books.
Mohasa
Dec 15, 2012, 09:49 AM
I would like to install a second light bulb in the crawl space of my home. The switch to the existing light bulb is integrated with the light bulb fixture - pull on/off type. The existing wiring is 14/2 gauge (NMD-7) which has no ground wire. I have 14/2 gauge (NMD90) which has the ground wire. What do I do with the ground wire?
Also, can the existing switch be used to switch both lights on/off?
Thank you for your time and expertise.
Mohasa
Dec 15, 2012, 01:21 PM
Oops! I did not do a good inspection job! The existing 14/2 gauge wire does have the ground wire. Sorry about that.
That leaves the other question - can I wire the pull switch for both lights or should I install a separate switch for them?
Thank you.
hkstroud
Dec 15, 2012, 09:24 PM
No, the switch (pull chain) in the bulb holder will only control the bulb in that bulb holder. You must install a separate switch if you want to control both bulbs with one switch.
Mohasa
Dec 16, 2012, 10:03 AM
No, the switch (pull chain) in the bulb holder will only control the bulb in that bulb holder. You must install a separate switch if you want to control both bulbs with one switch.
Much obliged. Thank you again.